Mission

In Jesus Christ we will grow and flourish through prayer and worship. We will open ourselves to God’s relationship with us in ways to that enhance our spiritual growth and deepen our spiritual life, in order to transform the world.

Vital Few-

Worship

The PWC will represent the voice of the Laity to the Clergy and staff to encourage parishioners to “take part in liturgy, fully aware of what they are doing.” (Sacrosanctum Concillium, Paragraph 11.)

The PWC will support its ministries and ministers in being trained, formed, committed and engaged in the service of our parishioners.

Formation

The PWC commits to attending semi-annual Formation provided by the parish, for the spiritual growth of the commission members.

The PWC members commit to provide Formation resources and opportunities for our ministers and on occasion, the broader parish community.

Discipleship

By intentionally participating in worship and formation, the PWC and it’s ministries foster discipleship that engages and creates a deeper parishioner awareness of the Holy Spirit.

The PWC will nurture a desire to share one’s self and one’s gifts in our Parish Ministries.

Children Altar Servers The ministry of Children Altar Server is open to families that are members of St. Joseph Catholic church and have children completing 4th grade and older. The child must have celebrated the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist. To learn more about this ministry, please contact:
Fr. Robinson Ortiz:rortiz@stjoseph-libertyville.org847-362-2073

Adult Altar Servers The Adult Altar Server ministry is comprised of adults young and old who wish to serve the mass by ministering on the altar at masses. Adult servers minister at the 7:15 Sunday mass and other masses as needed during the year. Servers are often asked to serve for funerals and special masses where a more mature skill is needed. Student servers that wish to continue to serve the altar after their school years have passed are also part of the Adult server program. Adults servers must be baptized, received first communion, confirmed, and members of St. Joseph. To learn more about this ministry, please contact:
Dan Harris:dharris@sjlibertyville.org847-722-5345

​Children's Liturgy of the Word Children's Liturgy of the Word is an opportunity for children in Grades 1-4 to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word in an age-appropriate way. Adults, junior high and high school students share in the leadership roles for this children's liturgy. A planning team prepares the liturgical content and service for each session. For more information on this ministry, please contact:
Suzanne Pavlus:
shpavlus@gmail.com or
Janet Ritter:
jansail@tds.net

Environment and Art This Ministry strives to create a visual and artistic environment that encourages and stimulates the participation of the worshipping community in the celebration of the Liturgy. It consists of people who combine their love for the church with their willingness to share their gifts to provide a prayerful environment for our parish community planning and preparing the worship space for the liturgical season. To learn more about this ministry, please contact:
Judy Dioszegi: jdiox2@aol.com

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EOMs) Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are those who share the Body and Blood of Christ with the community, the Body of Christ. The ministry is open to all members of the community who have completed the Sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) and who are committed to humble service to their sisters and brothers during Eucharistic celebrations. Those who answer this call and accept this responsibility need to have a Spiritual attitude of reverence for the Body and Blood of Christ. For more information on this ministry:
Jennifer Kolber:Limmycat1@gmail.com 847-918-9028Family Mass Family Mass is celebrated at 10:45 am on Sundays in the Koenig Center It is an opportunity for families to worship together in a smaller, more intimate worship community. Family Mass Ministry offers families the opportunity to participate together as a family in ministerial roles during the liturgy. To learn more about this ministry, please contact:
Susan Pucin:
skpucin@att.net or
Marianny Arribas:mariannyarribas@hotmail.com

Keepers of the Feast The Keepers' of the Feast do the liturgy planning for our community. This group is made up of people of all ages and backgrounds under the guidance of the Director of Liturgy and the Director of Music. For more information about this ministry, please contact:
Judy Dioszegi: jdiox2@aol.com

Liturgy Coordinators The Liturgy Coordinator facilitates the smooth conducting of the Mass. He or she interfaces with the Ushers, Altar Servers, EOM Captain, Proclaimers, Music Coordinator/Cantor, Sacristan, Presider, and Deacon. The Liturgy Coordinator makes sure all have arrived and are prepared to perform their roles. The Liturgy Coordinator gives the signal to start the Mass, watches over the flow of the Mass, and is present at the closing of the Mass. To learn more about this ministry, please contact the lead member of the Liturgy Coordinator Team.
Susan Speth:
smspeth@prodigy.net Beth Kraft
bethaniekraft@me.com

Music Ministy This ministry brings seasonally appropriate music to our daily and weekly liturgies, and invites us to participate more fully through hymns, songs and sung prayer. Our Song Leaders, Adult Choirs, Youth Choir, Hand Bell Choir, and Family Mass Children's Choir provide us with inspiring voices and instrumentalists each week along with the assembly-choir, to sing a joyful song unto the Lord. Our Resurrection Choir adds comforting vocal support to our Funeral Liturgies. A love of God, love of music, singing, playing an instrument, and leading others to God through music at worship are the most important qualifications. For more information about this ministry, please contact
Ron Vanasdlen:
rvanasdlen@stjoseph-libertyville.org

Greeters The Greeter Ministry is made up of parishioners who have a welcoming spirit and enjoy making people feel at home. With warm words of welcome, those who minister as Greeters strive to serve the Parish by helping set the tone for community prayer. We are the face of the community for all who are new to our Parish and the voice of welcome to all. For more information on this ministry, please contact:
John Jurecko:
jurecko@sbcglobal.net847-986-4254 (home)
847-722-5244 (cell)

Proclaimers Those who serve in this ministry proclaim the Word of God at daily and Sunday (weekend) liturgies. The Proclaimer (“Lector”) Ministry is open to those who have completed the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation). Proclaimers should have a love for Sacred Scripture and a desire to help the community hear and understand God’s Word through their proclamation. Initial training is provided as well as refresher and renewal opportunities. For more information on this ministry, please contact:
Kris Partain: krispartain@gmail.com847-477-3642 or Jane Bornhoeft:
jborn7751@gmail.com

Sacristan The Sacristan Ministry is a “behind-the-scenes” ministry in which faithful followers can deepen their Mass experience. This ministry is perfect for those individuals who are being called to service but do not wish to be visible to the congregation. If you are shy about most ministries, Sacristan is ideal for you. The entire service of this ministry occurs before and after the Mass Liturgy. Before Mass, the Sacristan ensures all items pertaining the Holy Eucharist and Precious Blood are set up. After Mass, the Sacristan meets the EOM in the sacristy and purifies the sacred vessels. The ministry is open to all members of the community who have completed the Sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation). Those who answer this call and accept this responsibility need to have a Spiritual attitude of reverence for the Body and Blood of Christ. For more information on this ministry, please contact:
Anne DeFranco:
amdefranco@mac.com 847-863-9714 Jim Lobus:
jimlobus@gmail.com708-309-5790

Ushers Those who serve in this ministry serve as hospitality ministers for those in the worshipping assembly. They welcome, seat people, accommodate special needs, solicit people to present the gifts, taking care of any emergencies and help facilitate the collection. This ministry is open to all who have a genuine love for the people of the community and a willingness to serve them as they worship. Training provided. For more information on this ministry, please contact:
Gene O’Brien: geneob3@sbcglobal.net847-362-1747Joe Wegryzn:wegrzjp@sbcglobal.net

Prayer Ministries

Bereavement Ministry The Bereavement Ministry provides compassionate and loving assistance to the bereaved parishioner and/or family of parishioners. The Bereavement ministers help the family prepare for and participate in the funeral liturgy (Mass of Christian Burial). They describe the workings of the funeral liturgy and the meaning of the symbols and assist the family in selecting the readings and music and gather the memories of the deceased to be incorporated into the funeral homily. For more information on this ministry, please contact:
Joan Molidor:
JoanMolidor@yahoo.com

The Ecumenical and Interreligious Ministry The Ecumenical and Interreligious Ministry strives to further understanding and cooperation among religions by promoting shared prayer experiences among congregations in Libertyville. For more information on this ministry, please contact:
Deacon George Kashmar: gkashmar@stjoseph-libertyville.org

Prayer and Healing Ministry This ministry consists of people that have experienced or are experiencing a serious illness. This is a support group that depends on Holy Scripture for discussion and guidance. The meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 10AM. This ministry renews spirit through prayer and friendship. To learn more about this ministry, please contact:
John Brodarick:
brodarick727@comcast.net 847-362-6787

Ministry of Care Our Ministers of Care visit those who are ill, homebound or handicapped and bring them Holy Communion in their homes, in the hospital or in area nursing homes. Training is required for mandation by the Archdiocese and is provided by this ministry. On-going formation is offered to remain current. To learn more about this ministry:
Arlyss Lasecki:
arlyss1211@sbglobal.net 847-778-8023Judy Salzman:
salzman1672@comcast.net847-431-8123

Ministry of Praise The Ministry of Praise is a call to those in nursing homes, retirement homes, the home bound and all senior citizens. Each month, a letter from a staff member or parishioner asking for prayers for intentions will be sent. It is a call to join in a chorus of prayer. There are no dues or meetings. As a sign of commitment, those who wish to join the Ministry will be formally commissioned and receive a cross, prayer book and certificate. For more information on this ministry:
Debbie Costa:
drc233@aol.com847-347-3601Legion of Mary

Legion of Mary has grown exponentially to become the world’s largest Catholic Lay movement, existing in virtually every country throughout the world. Comprised of over three and half million active, and five million auxiliary members, we work in our local parishes, under the approval and direction of the local bishop and pastors. Here at St. Joseph’s in Libertyville, our work includes:

The organization and assembly of the St. Joseph Welcome Wagon baskets, distributed to new parishioners.

Leading and participating in various parish religious devotions.

Annual Catholic outreach to the public at the Lake County Fair, in conjunction with the sixteen other Legions of Mary here in Lake County.

Volunteering at WSFI 88.5 FM Catholic Radio and work on its annual Healing the Whole Person, Body, Mind and Spirit Conference, and its weekly healing show. For more information on this ministry: Penny Klestinski: pennykletsinski@gmail.com847-367-6447

Prayer Shawl The Prayer Shawl Ministry is a group of women meet on the second Monday of each month at 1:00pm in the St. Joseph Room for fellowship and yarn work. Prayer shawls are knitted or crocheted in prayer for anyone in need of comfort. Through generous donations of yarn hundreds of prayer shawls have been distributed throughout our St. Joseph community. For more information on this ministry, please contact: Diane Vazquez: dmvsew@gmail.com